Scotland scored two goals against the World Champions, but that still wasn’t enough to take any points from an exciting encounter.

Craig Levein abandoned his midweek 4-6-0 formation in favour of a slightly more traditional 4-1-4-1 system, with Lee McCulloch between the lines of defence and attack, and the two wide players tucked in level with the midfield. Kenny Miller came in upfront.

Spain’s 4-2-3-1 featured nine of the eleven players who started the World Cup final. Xavi Hernandez and Pedro Rodriguez were the two who were out, with Santi Cazorla and David Silva coming in, pushing Andres Iniesta into the centre – although the attacking band of three switched around constantly, and giving them permanent positions is somewhat misleading.

Scotland started well – winning a corner in the very first minute, and that was important to give themselves belief and to rouse the fans – being penned back by Spain from the first whistle would have been a demoralising opening to the game, and Scotland showed a decent level of attacking intent throughout.

Spain dominate possession (of course)

Inevitably, however, the game settled down into the expected pattern of Spain dominating possession and their two deep midfielders dictating the game.

Scotland’s midfield trio were set out in a formation that made for natural closing down, but after 10-15 minutes, Darren Fletcher and Graham Dorrens dropped deeper and formed more of a three-man barrier in front of the defence, giving Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets time on the ball. Still, Scotland were pressing well when the ball was played into the final third, and the side was extremely well-organised, with each player knowing their defensive responsibilities.

No out-ball

The problem with setting out as they did was that there was often no out-ball when Scotland won possession. This, added to the fact that Spain were pressing very well themselves, meant that the home side found transitions difficult, and David Weir and Stephen McManus were clearly not used to being closed down so vigorously when they had the ball.

Spain were their usual selves – excellent in possession, happy to keep the ball in apparently non-threatening areas and wait to find the right pass. There were two avenues they looked like making the breakthrough from – and neither of them involved the front four players, who Scotland coped well with. Alonso was given too much time on the ball and was spraying some superb passes across the pitch, whilst Joan Capdevila got forward well from left-back, taking advantage of the fact that Spain’s left-sided midfielder invariably took up narrow positions and took Phil Bardsley with him. Capdevila’s crosses were a threat, and it was indirectly from one of these that Spain went ahead, after Steven Whittaker’s handball.

Second half

Levein chose to replace McCulloch with Charlie Adam, who spent most of the second half in that holding position in midfield. He was better at moving the ball forward quickly, however, and the game opened up slightly as Scotland tried to get back in the game. This played into Spain’s hands as they had more space to break into – Iniesta became more involved and eventually netted the second – although it was following another great pass from Alonso, given too much time on the ball.

Spain seemed comfortable at 2-0 and started keeping the ball to try and see out the game. However, Sergio Busquets was guilty of moving too high up the pitch and playing a poor pass, which resulted in a successful Scottish break – Miller crossing for Steven Naismith to head home. It was unusual to see Busquets that high up the pitch, and equally unusual for him to play such a poor pass. Like the goal Spain conceded against Chile, it stemmed from a quick break, and Spain are at their most vulnerable here, before they can get men behind the ball.

That said, they had plenty of men back for Scotland’s equaliser, a Gerard Pique own goal – they were simply opened up by excellent work down the right from Fletcher and James Morrison. The latter’s low cross was mishit into the net by Pique.

Llorente option

But Spain don’t just have a good side, they have a good squad. The obvious plan B was to bring on Fernando Llorente to provide a physical presence upfront, and he provided the winner after just three minutes on the pitch. Again, Spain were narrow on the left which allowed Capdevila all the time he liked to measure a cross into the box, and Llorente smashed home from six yards.

Scotland’s second fightback was spirited but ultimately fruitless, but this is a performance they can be proud of – not many sides cause the World Champions such problems. Their frustration will be that they defended well as a whole, but conceded a couple of very weak goals. It is also unfortunate that their next qualifier is ten and a half months away – it would have been nice to build on this encouraging performance (despite the defeat), but by next September, this will be a distant memory.

Spain sprung no surprises – it was the same formation and largely the same side that contested the World Cup, bar injuries. Their passing was as good as ever, and with the absence of Xavi, Xabi Alonso played more of a pivotal role – knocking some superb crossfield balls but also firing accurate passes into the front players. Llorente is a tremendous joker in the pack – not just quality from the bench, but someone that offers a completely different option. All sides should seek to have a Llorente.

As you mention, Xabi Alonso was absolutely superb throughout the whole game. The fact that no one was closing him down helped of course, but his performance was brilliant anyway.

About the Llorente point, well, I absolutely agree, it IS really difficult to understand why neither Barça nor Madrid have signed a “big man” for their “Plan B” – and specially Barcelona could possibly have won more points in this Liga if they had that option. Actually, there’s a football website in Spain that suggests a market move like that to the Catalan club – Llorente himself in fact. It would be, in my opinion, a great boost not only of options, but also of morale for the club, as Llorente has a great reputation in Spain for his goalscoring and skills (he looks tall and somehow clumsy, but in fact he’s pretty good in the short moves, and really good in the finishing).

Juan on October 14, 2010 at 12:57 pm

Hell, as a Madrid fan, I’d take Llorente as a Plan “A.5″.

Roberticus on October 14, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Mourinho has wanted a big No.9 from day one at Madrid; has made little secret of his lack of enthusiasm for having either Higuain or Benzema as the reference for attack.

Bascially, he’s looking for another Drogba, Milito…

I’d say Madrid need Llorente more urgently since this would form part of Mourinho’s Plan A, whereas with Barcelona he would be a PLan B.

victory on October 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm

wasn’t ibrahimovic supposed to be that guy for barca?

Kevos on October 14, 2010 at 4:07 pm

He was… I think he was more of a PLAN A and B, since he started most of the season.
Too much stardom got in the way and somehow he wasn’t fully acostume to Barca style.

As a Barca fan, I think we will miss a big man this season, and hope that they can get one soon.

Mati on October 14, 2010 at 4:37 pm

saw Ibra playing live at the Camp Nou. surprisingly, the fans were very tolerant with his unorthodox and sometimes frustrating style of play. at first, everything seemed to fall into place for him, but then he was out of sync, stray passes, mis-timed flicks, over-elaborated tricks and a strange general misunderstanding with the passing game

Someone.... on October 14, 2010 at 7:44 pm

I don’t think Ibra was unaccustomed to Barca’s style…it seems he just had a row with Guardiola and now he left.

Patrick on October 14, 2010 at 12:44 pm

I thought Levein took far too much stick for playing a “4-6-0″ against the Czech Republic.

As a regular visitor to this site, I know that, while it may still be unusual, this is a far from radical approach.

The Scottish press, unfortunately, are very conservative when it comes to such matters, and are still struggling to come to terms with the absence of the bigman/ littleman combination in top level football.

I’d love to hear whether ZM thinks Levein was justified in playing a 4-6-0, and whether you think he’s a victim of, in Scotland anyway, being slightly ahead of his time?

Ali on October 14, 2010 at 1:22 pm

I can see the logic in starting with such a formation to a certain extent – although I think he was unwise to play it given the players at his disposal. I am not sure he used it as an entirely defensive measure – as the standard 4-5-1 Scotland play away from home is fairly defensive anyway.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but this was most recently (and notoriously) used at Roma. Any attacking threat coming from such a setup will involve fluid interplay and off the ball movement by 3-4 of the midfield 6, designed to pull the opposition about and create space. Roma could achieve such with players like Totti, Vucinic, Menez etc.. I think Levein was incredibly optimistic that his quality of player could hope to replicate the system at all.

Patrick on October 14, 2010 at 1:40 pm

It was used at Roma, but it’s also been used by Everton and Arsenal recently.

I know what you mean about this system requiring quick passing and clever inter-play, something which Scotland do indeed lack.

I just thought he too far too much stick for what, in reality, amounted to nothing more than swapping Miller for Mackie and ensuring that everyone did a job defensively.

I’m not a Scotland fan, but I do live in Scotland, and the praise Walter Smith got for a backs-to-the-wall 0-0 draw against Manchester United, in which he played 5 at the back, was completely over the top.

Yet these very same journalists, a matter of weeks later, went absolutely berzerk at Levein for what was deemed to be an overly-defensive display.

I think people get far too hung-up on these silly “4-5-1″ “3-5-2″ labels, and it’s because of this that Levein took so much of the blame; his formation was seen as “4-6-0″, which looks rather odd written down.

Don’t get me wrong, tactics are vital, but I feel the media tend to reduce them to these daft little trios of digits, and that distorts the reality of how teams actually shape up on the park.

Levein still had the standard 4 attack-minded players on the park (albeit they didn’t do much attacking). Just because none of them were centre-forwards doesn’t mean he didn’t plan to score a goal.

Like you rightly point out, many teams who do play centre-forwards are equally defensive.

Mick on October 14, 2010 at 2:43 pm

I think much of the anger was partly due to te formation and partly due to what the personnel required to carry it out i.e the dropping of kenny miller

Playing kenny miller is not neccessarily an attacking option, by not playing him up front we weaken our defence because he provides an out ball, competes for loose clearances and pressures the opposition defence when they are building attacks.

Not playing a striker weakened our defence because we had to deal with wave after wave of attack and at least one goal was inevitable.

Col on October 14, 2010 at 4:26 pm

The anger stems from the fact that it was a game Scotland could have won.
I find the limited ambition of the scottish management very frustating. We know the team can defend and play well aginst big/good teams. See recent games against SPain, Italy and France

I would love to see a 4-3-3 not the usual 4-5-1 aginst teams like the Czechs, Lithuania and Lichtenstein

how long have you lived in Scotland or had experience of the Scottish media? Perhaps not long enough yet to realise the way they work as regards Walter Smith and a certain side on the south side of Glasgow. Had Smith, as Scotland manager, used the very same 4-6-0 formation then the reaction would have been very different.

Martin on October 14, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Patrick,

I seriously hope Levein is not ahead of his time with 4-6-0. Not only is it completely against the principles of football (you’re meant to try and score more goals than the other team) and ugly to watch, it’s also a stupid tactic. If you have no “out ball” to a striker then you’re just inviting 90 mins of non-stop pressure…even top defences would struggle not to concede but with guys like McManus, Whittaker and Weir the best form of defence is surely attack!

I didn’t see the game against the Czechs to comment, but I think it’s important to point out that Roma’s 4-6-0 was not at all defensive-minded – it just didn’t feature a permanent striker. Presumably Scotland just sat back with a 4-6-0 which is somewhat different.

I suppose it comes back to the argument of whether a formation in itself can be defensive or attacking.

Bruno Amato on October 14, 2010 at 2:40 pm

“but after 10-15 minutes, Darren Fletcher and Graham Dorrens dropped deeper and formed more of a three-man barrier in front of the defence, giving Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets time on the ball”

Perhaps this is why I had the impression that Scotland’s formation was a 4-5-1 that turned into 5-4-1 when under pressure.

jairzinho on October 14, 2010 at 3:35 pm

@ZM. Apart from the 4-6-0 formation. The other thing the game showed was that spain can actually win and win comfortingly without Xavi.( Even though Scotland tied the game at 2-2). Spain looked particularly good in possession and their build up play was just as impressive. The goals conceded was down to lost concentration and sloppiness

Sean on October 14, 2010 at 4:25 pm

It wasn’t Capdevila’s cross that led to the handball, it was Sergio Ramos’s. Capdevila switched play across to Ramos, if that’s what you were getting at. Which I gather you probably were.

Kevos on October 14, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Capdevilla sent the cross, Ramos received and shot on target that led to the handball.

I think Spain showed they are still weak on the left of their defence. Both Scottish goals came from crosses from that side. Their dependence on the fullbacks for width means that Capdevila and Ramos are always vulnerable to being caught out in transitions. I think this also makes them vulnerable on the break. A team with flying wingers rather than inverted ones would be much more difficult for them to deal with. This is why in the World Cup Semi Final and Final I thought it may have been a mistake for Germany and Holland to play the formations they did (Robben and Mueller on the wings) as Spain struggled to deal with Elia. The amount of time and space for the Scottish winger to pick out his passes was, frankly, incredible. As Ramos seemed to have much more defensive awareness than Capdevila, it appears they are more susceptible to a right winger going down the touchline.

Dan on October 14, 2010 at 4:56 pm

Sorry, Mueller was suspended for the Semifinal. I think it was Trochowski, but the same problem applies. Wingers looking to cut in rather than stretch the defence and get to the byline.

NiWa on October 15, 2010 at 12:08 pm

Yep was Trochowski, showing off his usual lack of creativity. Also for the final, keep in mind that they did in fact shift Robben into the central striker position at some point in the game.

I agree though regarding Capdevila the left full back position is currently a weak link (Germany has the same issue).

David on October 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm

well to be fair, I don’t think Loew had a better option. Germany doesn’t really have any true right-footed wingers – Mueller, Kroos, Trochowski, and Schweinsteiger are all natural central midfielders (well, Schweinsteiger played a lot of his career on the wing but he is better in the middle). Mueller has at least played a lot of club games in that position recently, but behind him, there wasn’t really very much.

I think left back is a problem position for a lot of countries. How many world class left backs are there? Definitely Ashley Cole, probably Patrice Evra. Anyone else? According to the Castrol Rankings, the next best national team left back is… Thomas Vermaelen.

Josef on October 15, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Do you put any stock in Castrol ratings? They seem pretty opaque to me…

Mati on October 14, 2010 at 5:03 pm

4-6-0? Carlos Alberto Parreira predicted that future formations/systems will be 4-2-4’s, with 2 pivots and 4 attacking players, none designated strikers. As much as he was criticized during his short spell at Valencia, i think Koeman might have been one of the first managers to adopt this system in top-flight football…it was rather random, with Los Che either beautifully winning or frustratingly losing. I don’t know Levein, nor do i listen to press, but what can Scotland expect? They need to either produce players of a better quality, or adopt a better counter-attacking system, more lethal upfront, moving the ball quicker.

Back to the game, nothing new, special or enlightening. Spain need to work on their transition from attack to defence, and find some back-up players (congrats Borja Valero, about time!!). It’s about time Llorente got the credit he deserves (some corners calling for his inclusion over Torres), but the concentration lapses must be worrying for Del Bosque.

Dave on October 14, 2010 at 8:18 pm

The Arabian Santa Clause appears to be commentating the first two goals. ZM I very much look forward to your analysis and would love it if you would publish a list of upcoming games that you are intending to watch and review.

Xabi Alonso was absolutely superb, I hope somebody edits a video of all his touches from this game together.

I think the reason Busquets was so high up the field was that he stuck to Alonso, who had to push forward more in Xavi’s absence. Normally when Busquets drops back into the defensive line, there is still Xabi Alonso in midfield, possibly even Xavi. When there is no real 3rd midfielder and the team goes 4-2-3-1 rather than a hybrid 4-3-3, Nobody is left in the midfield if Xabi Alonso pushes slightly more forward to be the playmaker (which he was brilliant as)and Busquets drops deep, so he stayed higher up the pitch than normal, and the fullback/Busquets back 4/back 3 system got a little messed up, with the fullbacks pushing on even with nobody to cover.

Ross on October 14, 2010 at 9:32 pm

I was absolutely disgusted to see a 4-6-0 rolled out in Prague last week. At least, with Walter Smith’s 4-5-1 there is an outball in Kenny Miller and usually a midfielder who will get forward like Steven Naismith or Steven Davis.

Scotland’s national team just doesn’t have a blend to it. The tactics chop and change all the time and there is no continuity about it. We were very fortunate in the fact that we had so many Rangers players who were obviously used to playing with each other.

I feel we have to look long-term. Levein wasn’t my ideal choice at the time. We have some decent younger players there and a more positive manager might get more from that. I don’t think our strengths are defending as shown, but going forward at pace we can be quite dangerous with the Hampden crowd behind us.

Spain are top class. There is so many things we could learn from them and the way things just seem to click automatically is excellent to watch. It’s streets above Scottish Football.

Mark on October 14, 2010 at 11:21 pm

I didn’t watch the Scotland game, (yes I put myself through watching the England game) although I was tempted.

The article eludes to Scotland failing to pick up Alonso, tactical suicide! Give Alonso time and space on the ball, he’ll dictate the game. Why did they not push Fletcher high up the pitch on him? I understand Levein’s tactics, but I don’t agree with them.

I would have played Fletcher high up the pitch, pressing Xabi Alonso, along with the two wingers playing high up the pitch pressing the full backs. I think Busquets is a top quality player, one of the very best in the role he plays, but he’s not as good as Xabi Alonso on the ball, and in my opinion, you’re going to have to allow one of the Spainish players time on the ball, and in my opinion, that for me, would be Busquets.

I’m assuming the way Scotland setup, was too allow Spain all of the ball in less dangerous areas, but to attack and pressure when Spain reached the dangerous areas. Personally, I think you need to pressure Spain high up the pitch. You can do this, whilst still pressuring them more intensely in the danger areas, but this would probably mean dropping Dorrans for a more defence minded player, so there would be two defence minded players sitting whilst Fletcher and the two wingers press high up the pitch.

Spain genuinely are an awesome team though. I think the assumption used to be, let’s bully Spain, let’s out work them. This just ain’t gonna happen. Spain don’t get bullied, you’ve got to get near them to bully them, and even when you do, they don’t stand down from a battle, and outworking them is going to be hard, because of the immense ammount of posession they have means the opposition are going to be outworked because there just gonna be chasing the ball all match, but when the opposition do manage to get the ball, the way Spain press and win the ball back is very impressive.

DARREN WILSON on October 15, 2010 at 2:48 am

It would have been interesting if there was a Scottish LLorente equivilent, a “Mcllorente” if you will who could have come on and get the very best of the crosses Scotland were able to pump into the box, it would have made it a interesting last 30 minutes if they did….

…oh well, cant have everything can you….!!!!!

Umut on October 15, 2010 at 11:36 am

Llorente’s presence in Spain’s bench is just what Barça should have done during the transfer window while getting Villa in and Ibra out.

Even the best teams sometimes need to provide physical advantage (in terms of height or strength) and “cross in to box” strategies during a match. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the main tactic but if you have an option like that on your bench, it can make real difference when you are in kind of a trouble.

Kevos on October 15, 2010 at 2:48 pm

I totally agree but, as you know, there are not many Llorente’s out there. I haven’t seen much of his games, but he knows his role pretty well, as a target-man, dropping deeper [on occasions] to get the ball, creating space for his teammates, physical presence in the box, scoring with his head, scoring with his feet, technically good.

I hope, really hope, Barca can find a guy like this because right now it is hurting.

raz on October 16, 2010 at 6:47 pm

Thanks for this review! As usual, an excellent read.

When a 4-6-0 starts to go defensive like Scotland did – Fletcher and Dorrens dropping deep to provide cover – that leaves the team with only 3 attacking options. Assuming one of them is the striker, would the transition would have to come from the wide areas? Could Morrisson and Naysmith have positioned themselves differently to help this cause in any way?

Nat93 on October 18, 2010 at 5:49 pm

ZM, I noticed tht during the Scotland – Spain match Scotland through their traditional British style of football caused Spain to kind of lose their shape. Athletic Bilbao deployed similar tactics against Barca and despite losing 2-0, they affected Barca’s shape. Do you think that traditional British style of football is the key to beat tika-taka? Or Inter-esque tactics will still be the order of the day in doing so?